Trouble in the skies and taxiways has been making headlines almost every month. Most recently, a small plane leaving California and an American Airlines jet headed to Miami became news. On Saturday (July 26), three people died after a crash into the Pacific Ocean. That same day, 173 passengers had to evacuate a smoky aircraft after a mechanical malfunction in Denver. Keep reading for a breakdown of what happened in the two separate plane-related instances.
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More Details About Deadly California Plane Crash
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the deaths of three people aboard a small twin-engine plane that crashed off California’s central coast. On Saturday, the crash happened about 300 yards (275 meters) off Point Pinos. However, officials didn’t say what led to the crash.
Witnesses said they heard an aircraft engine revving and then a splash in the water, KSBW-TV reported. People on shore later reported seeing debris wash up from the crashed plane. The twin-engine Beech 95-B55 Baron with three people aboard took off from the San Carlos airport at 10:11 p.m. It was last seen at 10:37 p.m. near Monterey, according to flight tracking data from FlightAware.com. Searchers in a boat found one person around 3 a.m. Divers found the remaining two people inside the aircraft between 6:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.
The Coast Guard said all three were unresponsive. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.
Here’s What Happened With American Airlines Flight In Denver
Also on Saturday, passengers slid down an emergency slide of a smoking jet at Denver International Airport. Authorities said the incident was likely due to a possible problem with the plane’s landing gear. The Denver Fire Department said firefighters extinguished a fire on the aircraft.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, American Airlines Flight 3023 reported a “possible landing gear incident” during its departure from Denver on Saturday afternoon. The problem involved an aircraft tire, AA said in a statement. FAA is still investigating what happened.
The plane was carrying 173 passengers and six crew members, and was on its way to Miami International Airport. Video showed people sliding down the inflatable chute near the front of the plane while clutching luggage and small children. Some passengers, including at least one adult carrying a young child, tripped at the end of the slide and fell onto the concrete runway. A bus then took passengers to the terminal.
“All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team,” American Airlines said.
One of the passengers was taken to a hospital with a minor injury. Additionally, airport officials said five people were evaluated for injuries at the scene but did not require hospitalization.
Witnesses Describe AA Jet Incident
Shay Armistead, a 17-year-old from Minturn, Colorado, described a chaotic scene at the Denver airport. After hearing a loud “boom,” the plane “started to violently shake and we were drifting to the left side of the runway,” Armistead told The Associated Press in an interview. Armistead and her ski racing teammates were on their way from Colorado to Chile when it happened.
“I started grabbing my friend’s hands, I was like ‘Oh my God,’ and then they slammed on the brakes, and we all like went forward and they finally brought the plane to a stop,” she said. “It was just terrifying.”
Armistead said she’s thankful for everyone who helped her and the other passengers, and grateful she’s safe.
“You’ve just got to appreciate what you’re given, and I’m so grateful that it wasn’t worse,” Armistead said.
“About halfway to takeoff speed, we hear a big bang and a pop,” passenger Shaun Williams told KUSA-TV. “The pilot immediately started abort procedures for taking off. You could feel him start to hit the brakes.”
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Associated Press Staff, including Mingson Lau and Jeff Martin, contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
